USF researchers to develop plan for Cape's Bimini Basin region

Tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars are at work right now as University of South Florida researchers develop a plan for the future of Cape Coral's Bimini Basin Region.

On Thursday, for the first time, members of the public were invited to participate in the process during a visioning charrette. They're 42 people who work, live and play in Cape Coral that are trying to attract others to do the same.

“We want people from Naples to leave 5th Avenue and come to Cape Coral. We want people from Fort Lauderdale and Miami to come here,” said Emanuele Dimare who participated in the charrette.

As stakeholders, they were invited to share their vision for the future of the Bimini Basin region. Back in September, the city voted to fund a $51,000 USF study to develop that vision.

“I think it's really important that as council that we stay out of this part of this and let the community come up with what they're looking for,” said Mayor Marni Sawicki.

The group made a list of priorities then broke into smaller teams to come up with a concept that can transform the area into a destination. Some of those concepts include creating a boardwalk, extending the canal, and making a downtown area that's friendly to pedestrians, cars and boats.

Finally they presented those ideas to around 50 members of the public who showed up to vote for their favorite.

Many have heard these ideas before for the area and so far, they've seen no results. They hope this time will be different through a public-private partnership.

“The community is doing their part, now the financing and the assemblage of the property and the private sector is the key to making it happen,” said Chris Berardi, a former city council member and participant in the charrette.

The USF group will tell city staff on Friday which concepts they'll begin working on based on community votes. They'll present a plan this Spring on how Cape Coral can actually make it happen.